2 More Paris Trips!

On Friday afternoon Ken, Lauren and I met up with Luke and Colm, 2 guys from Ireland, and headed into Paris. Our first stop of the day was Montmartre and Sacré Coeur. When you first arrive at the bottom of Montmartre, the steps are a bit daunting. I'm going to be in better shape than I have been in a long time despite the mostly carb diet I seem to be on here.

Ken, Me, Lauren, and Luke at the bottom on Montmartre

As soon as  you arrive at the top of Montmartre you realize that the million steps it feels like you just walked up were worth it. The view is amazing. It was the perfect day, sunny and about 75 degrees, with not a cloud in the sky and you literally look out on all of Paris. We visited Montmartre last time I went to Paris, but just like everything else about this city the picture and memories do not do it justice. The view is not the only thing that Montmartre has to offer, throughout the winding, hilly cobblestone streets there are artists everywhere selling paintings, drawing portraits, singing, anything you can imagine. It is a really cool unique area.

The most spectacular thing about the area isn't the view or the streets though, it is Basilique du Sacré-Coeur or the Basilica of the Scared-Heart. Last time I visited Paris we were so sick of going into chruches and cathedrels that we chose to skip this one, I'm so glad I had the chance to visit it the other day. It was breathtaking and humbling. As we walked in a mass was beginning and the nuns were all singing, it was shocking to see how many people were around for an afternoon mass on a Friday, I can only imagine what it's like on a Sunday, I would love to go back to experience it. It is by far my favorite church I have ever been in, and between my last trip to France and all the new churches Grandma Jack used to take us so we could make our 3 wishes when we'd sleep over there, I've been to my fair share of Catholic churches. It may even be my favorite spot in Paris.

After we made our way back down all the stairs, we jumped on the Metro (we're getting good at navigating all those different lines!) and went to the Bastille, the building itself is gone but there is a pretty cool statue in memorial in the middle of a major roundabout. After taking a few pictures we wandered down the streets for a bit and found a little bakery where we got a snack, they pastries are all so good it's hard to pick which one to get. Colm and Luke are both huge Irish football fans (no, not Notre Dame) and there was a game on that afternoon, so we went to an Irish bar for a little while and watched the first half of the game with them. Needless to say, I am still not a big soccer fan. By halftime, Lauren, Ken and I had had enough and headed back towards Cergy, leaving the other two behind to watch the second half.

Today the original plan was go to Versailles but after a couple of misunderstandings and missed trains Lauren and I ended up deciding to just explore Paris more instead of making the trip all the way out to the chateau, we wanted to make sure we have plenty of time to explore ALL of the gardens. So we started our day out at the Eiffel Tower and then had lunch at a restaurant near by. We then headed over to the Galleries LaFayette and wandered around wishing we had all the money in the world to buy all the beautiful designer bags and shoes and clothes.

Showing my Cardinal pride on game day, even from so far away

We then decided to go to the Opera, and I am so happy we did. I didn't know what to expect but the building was amazing! We didn't get to see the actual stage and auditorium because there was a rehearsal going on but we were able to see the Grand Staircase and Foyer along with the library and museum. The building was one of the most beautiful ones I have seen so far. We stumbled our way into joining a tour that was being held in English and found out that it took 15 years to build and cost what is equal to 330 million euros today! Garnier was the architect and designed the foyers to resemble a gallery in chateau, he certainly accomplished his goal. It was an awesome place to visit and I'm so glad we decided to go in, we had debated it, not knowing what to expect. After the opera we found some ice cream and enjoyed the rest of another beautiful day in Paris.

Part of the Grand Foyer

Tomorrow I am headed to the palace Fountainbleau, not far outside of Paris and can't wait to update you all on my next adventure. :)